LA success for mum and daughter who write and produce own movie

29 Jun LA success for mum and daughter who write and produce own movie

AN ambitious mother-and-daughter duo have been enjoying success in LA after writing and producing their own movie.

Elizabeth Blake-Thomas, from Burton, moved to Los Angeles to further the acting career of her 13-year-old daughter, Isabella.

And they have already produced and written the movie Broken Wings, which is due for release next month.

It tells the story of a little girl who experiences day-to-day troubles as a child suffering with depression. She escapes into the fantasy world she writes for herself but the lines between her fantasy and reality start to blur.

However, Ms Blake-Thomas has not forgotten her Burton roots after the area kick-started her love of performing.

She said: “I lived in several different places including Bretby, Repton, Stapenhill and finally Winshill. I went to Newton Solney Primary School, which in all honesty was the making of me and the beginning of my love for the arts. Mrs Massey, the head teacher, gave me the confidence and courage to find my love of public speaking.”

The 37-year-old, who then was then known by her maiden name Elizabeth Wright, later attended Derby High School for Girls. She later studied performing arts at the-then Burton Technical College and became head of drama at Foremarke School in 2004.

It was then she opted for a move to Hermosa Beach.

She said: “I decided to initially move to LA due to my daughter taking over in my footsteps and acting. She was the lead in Green Balloon Club, a CBeebies show, as Lily Rose. I always like to travel and try new things. So far, Isabella hasn’t stopped working and we love it.”

As well as appearing in Shameless, Isabella is also known for her parts in Rise of the Guardians and Johnny English Reborn. She also recently starred in TV show Once Upon a Time starring Ginnifer Goodwin.

Her mother said: “Since being in LA, I have had so many incredible experiences I just decided to start writing them down.

“I also realised that it is a town where you need to make things happen, you can’t just sit there waiting for it to come to you. I realised I had always been producing. I ran a theatre company at The Brewhouse Arts Centre and used to teach there. So, with all the shows I used to put on, the organisations I was involved and my love of film, it seemed the perfect recipe for me to become a producer and writer. Isabella is then able to be in my films.”